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Wisconsin Basketball: Analytics indicate Badgers still in consideration for favorable seed

By Trevor Jossart

Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) connects with teammate guard Bronson Koenig (24) during the game with the Maryland Terrapinsat the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Ethan Happ (22) connects with teammate guard Bronson Koenig (24) during the game with the Maryland Terrapinsat the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Maryland 71-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin Badgers have been playing their worst basketball of the year, but it’s not too late to turn it around.

Losers of four out of five, the Wisconsin Badgers have fallen from once ranked in the top seven in the country to one of the more struggling teams in the nation and are barely clinging on to their top 25 position in the college basketball world.

Despite this, the Badgers still have a shot at a share of the Big Ten title and are currently battling for not only a high conference tournament seed, but NCAA Tournament as well. While polls, national writers, and the casual fan have been quick to write off the Badgers team completely, analytics tell us that the team is still in great shape to get a favorable seed come tournament time if they can string a few wins together.

Obviously, this means nothing without the Badgers doing a complete 180 and finishing their season with a few more tallies in the win column, but for a team that was in the discussion for a 3-4 seed and had a two game lead in the Big Ten, the Badgers are still getting some positive love from major bracket-ology teams.

Next: Analyzing possible seeding

One would think with how poor the Badgers have played and the broad reaction from fans that the Badgers were on the bubble or going to get a double digit seed (overreaction). Here is what others are saying.

Via Land of 10:

ESPN.com
Seed: No. 6
Location: Orlando, Fla.

CBSSports.com
Seed: No. 6
Location: Milwaukee

USA Today
Seed: No. 6
Location: Salt Lake City

Bleacher Report:
Seed: No. 7
Location: Indianapolis

A six seed is a rather generous considering the Badgers play of late, and looks even better if the team was able to get opening round games in Milwaukee.

As for analytics, metrics state that the Badgers are still one of the more dangerous teams in the country. Several reputable displays have Wisconsin high in at least one major category and a respectable overall rating.

BPI (Basketball Power Index)

  • Overall rank: 20
  • Strength of Schedule: 31
  • Strength of Record: 18

RPI (Ratings Percentage Index)

  • Overall rank: 30

KenPom

  • Overall rank: 21
  • Adjusted Defense: 15

Sagarin

  • Overall rank: 16
  • Strength of Schedule: 29

As you can see, the Badgers are still ranked at a high level in all but the RPI, which would indicate the Badgers would be seeded on the seven line. BPI, KenPom, and Sagarin all have the Badgers rated higher in the 4-6 seed range.

There is a lot of basketball to be played and a lot that can change, but if the Badgers can pull off a couple nice wins, they will be right back in the thick of the nation’s elite teams.

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